Consumer Reports MPG Result For 2013 Fusion & C-Max Hybrids!

It is the European roots. Ford wanted their hybrid/phev only vehicle to look different to try and get some of the Prius magic. So they took an existing European vehicle to save money. If ford had done it from the ground up for the american market, I'm sure it would be longer and a little more aerodynamic. If you like that european look you may like it, I don't particularly but large numbers of people do. I do think the fiat 500 looks cute, but its supposed to be short, not a hybrid.

I am surprised that I have seen 3 energis already and its only been on sale a little while.

 

European C-MAX looks better in microvan.

 

If you are fouling plugs something has gone awry.

 

Well, I have had the car back since Friday, Drove it Sunday to Waukesha, got 36 both ways driving 65 and city of 25.

On Monday decided to try something different. I set up the MyView screen with the tach and temp gauge. Turned the HVAC off until the temp gauge got up to normal, and accelerated slowly keeping it at or below 2000 RPMs. Pissed others off by accelerating so slow, but I am now seeing 41 MPG on some trip summaries, and this tank is at 39.

The real clue will be what it actually reads when I fill it up.

That being said, by no means is this car repaired, I should not have to drive it so damned slow to get 41, no matter what the temps are. My wife got 43 in the 2010 on the way home last night, a trip of near 40 miles, and some of it uphill, I have seen up to 44 on that same trip in that car, and she doesn't drive it slow, nor do I.

I talked to the salesguy last night after their meeting and he said ford is claiming there is nothing wrong with the car and is unwilling to do anything about the fouled plugs.

After this tank, gonna drive it like a sports car and see if I can foul the plugs again, unless they already are, and just needs a push over the edge.

 

Remember Toyota increased the ICE displacement in Gen3 Prius to increase MPG by having it to rev at lower RPM?

I think Ford did the opposite with the new Fusion (same engine in C-Max) by going from 2.5 liters to 2.0 liters. The new 2.0 liter ICE was not tuned for efficiency but rather for power. So, I think it would be beneficial for you to accelerate at efficient rpm range. Since we don't have BSFC map of the engine, you'll have to do trial and error.

 

I still believe there is a fuel issue, some parameter is off, or some sensor is sending false readings, it should be much higher driving it like this.

 

acdii, I don't know if you have been to the Fordcmaxforum recently but there apparently are lots of check engine lights coming on. Fortunately I haven't had one yet. It seems like a different problem than yours though, but maybe they are related some how.

Check Engine Light - General Discussion - Ford C-MAX Hybrid Forum

 

I wouldnt be surprised if they received a bad batch of spark plugs that are prone to fouling. After they were replaced my car is getting MPG more of where I had expected it to get. I am seeing consistent 41 MPG now. I have a FB friend who is getting only 30 in his, and it was built 2 days before mine, so I sent him my VIN to take to the dealer so they can check it out. He has half the miles I do, so if they are fouling he still has a way to go before getting a CEL.

 

Things I have taken for granted owning a Prius. Thanks for the reminder.

 

Hopefully the spark plugs take care of it for you. Keep us up to date please.

 

Doubtful again. First time I had a chance to take it on the "highway" today, and got crappy MPG once again. It does not do well at all at 65 or more. 31-36.

 

Wow, 37.2 mpg avg over 53k miles '13 Fusion hybrid on fuelly.com

How very sad. I would be happier if they just fessed up to 42city/39hwy and see 39 mpg happening on fuelly.

And the starting price of that thing .... $27,200 ???

but, I mostly like the C-Max hybrid because of its airy interior, very good visibility inside and much more conventional dash and cockpit. It will bring in a lot of people who wouldn't consider any Prius.

but, Toyota is building the best hybrids by a long shot. Going to be tough waiting over 2 years to see the next gen liftback Prius.

 

I doubt it's the plugs at fault. I suspect something else is causing the fouling.

That said, NGK Spark Plugs USA and NGK Spark Plugs USA lists some causes.

 

The new 2.0 liter Atkinson cycle engine makes unusual amount of power (70 hp/liter), as much as the Otto cycle 2.5 liter available in the non-hybrid / non-ecoboost.

That and the lack of EGR and cooler to prevent knock may have something to do with.

 

Excellent point:

	Column 1
0	[th]make[th]hp[th]liter[th]hp/l[tr][td]Ford C-MAX[td]141[td]2.0[td]70.5 hp/l[tr][td]Toyota Prius c[td]99[td]1.5[td]60.0 hp/l[tr][td]Toyota Prius hatch[td]134[td]1.8[td]74.4 hp/l

Source: Edmunds

What we really need are the BSFC charts for the respective vehicles. The Prius c seems especially 'light' but that may be compensation for the higher drag coefficients.

I still feel the the roll-down test energy charts pretty well defines what is needed to move the vehicle. The Ford C-MAX has numbers similar to the Prius v that has the advanced engine features needed for higher power, fuel efficiency. This is likely as you pointed out, to be a big part of the C-MAX problem.

Bob Wilson

 

Two things pop out

• Spark plug heat range too cold
• Air-fuel mixture too rich

My feeling based on 5400 miles, is too rich a fuel mixture. I was HOPING it was the first thing, which new plugs would correct. If the OEM plugs were too cold, that would explain it, but after my highway trip, WITH A TAIL WIND only getting 36MPG, something hinky is going on.

 

Bob, Prius c ICE produces 73 hp. Prius hatch ICE, 98 hp. The numbers you have are the total hybrid system outputs.

 

Time to dig this thread up ....

I'm well aware of the 37 ish average MPGs of the all new Fusion Hybrid. Had a sit in one the other night, pretty nice inside. ..

So I stopped by Ford to have a look at the new FFH trunk ...

What a PoA. Good gawd the thing is seriously narrowed by, I guess a 12V battery on the left, but the massive battery takes up an a-load more room. ... I know it was the regular Fusion, not Energi as the sticker was like $29k

I don't think this model will sell very well. I wouldn't give it a 2nd (well 3rd) look. As if the low FE wasn't bad enough, .... what a disappointment, Ford.

Toyota's got the midsize sedan hybrid, Camry, I hope Honda will get serious and do a good job, unlike Ford.

 

Wow, this thread was started so long ago and has grown so long, I don't even remember what was discussed and what I posted here.

I looked at The Most Fuel-Efficient Cars | Best Cars for Gas - Consumer Reports and noticed that the FFH and C-Max Hybrid get a pretty good city # on CR's test (well, good for their test). Best Vehicles for City & Highway MPG | City and Highway Mileage - Consumer Reports might be for some.

Of the non-plugin vehicles, the C-Max and FFH have the 2nd best CR city test result. The only one better is the Prius c. Hmmm...

On highway, they fall shart of the HyCam. But then again, CR's highway test is conducted at 65 mph, and not a much lower average speed like the EPA's ~48 mph avg speed on their fastest two cycles.

I wonder if anyone's done a steady state 48 or say 50 mph FE test of the HyCam vs. the FFH.